Quote from Booster SD on March 10, 2018, 6:36 pm

Quote from Cptjack on March 9, 2018, 11:07 pm

2B, backup catcher, and LF/4th OF are still completely up for grabs it looks like.

If Lucchesi was on the 40man he'd probably have the 5th starter spot locked up.

Laur looked really good as well today. I think that both will be up by the end of August.

Quote from Booster SD on March 10, 2018, 6:46 pm

Back up Catcher, IMO was Ellis as soon as he signed. 2B is Asuaje's to lose IMO. His OBP is better and I dont think that Spangy is that better defensively, if any, to suffer the lesser bat of Spangy. And as much of a fan of Renfroe as I am, I think that I would have him and Cordero start in AAA. Lets see if Pirela is for real or just a feel good story for half a season. IMO, Szczur is our 4th OF to start the season. Spangy can bounce between 2B and LF.

Quote from dusty on March 10, 2018, 6:59 pm

Quote from Booster SD on March 10, 2018, 6:46 pm

Back up Catcher, IMO was Ellis as soon as he signed. 2B is Asuaje's to lose IMO. His OBP is better and I dont think that Spangy is that better defensively, if any, to suffer the lesser bat of Spangy. And as much of a fan of Renfroe as I am, I think that I would have him and Cordero start in AAA. Lets see if Pirela is for real or just a feel good story for half a season. IMO, Szczur is our 4th OF to start the season. Spangy can bounce between 2B and LF.

I agree on Ellis, the Padres are going to have two really big time leadership guys on the team with Ellis there as well. I think Andy needs to keep the competition up for Asuaje and the rest of the outfielders to keep the pressure on. It will be good for their mental toughness IMO.

I think if all goes right, the Padres could wind up with quite a few, young, attractive trade pieces with control. I think with more progression, Cordero blossoms into the third outfielder and the perfect number 5/6 hitter. One way or the other, I just have a feeling we are going to have as tough a 1-8 as anyone once Tatis and Urias join the club full time. Love what these guys are doing on offense.

And where did Jankowski find power? A lot of tough, fun decisions are coming.

 

Quote from Ben Davey on March 11, 2018, 12:52 am

Not sure who makes the club and who doesnt.

IMO the deck is stacked against Asuaje.  Green hinted that whoever didnt win the starting 2B job would probably end up starting in Triple-A (as Pirela would be the back up 2B).  They also hinted that they would go into the season without a backup SS.

Here's my issue.  Who backs up third?  Asuaje is a 2B only player, while we know Spangy can play 2B or 3B.  That versatility might be the difference.  Headley isnt exactly the start 150+ games guy like Hosmer is.

If there are 5 bench spots open, who gets it.
1. Ellis (lock)
2. Pirela (lock)
3. Renfroe (Cordero starts)
4.
5.

Do they carry another OF (Janko/Sczur) as a defensive replacement for Myers/Pirela?  Does Villanueva make it?  Maybe both Asuaje and Spangy make it?  Do they carry 13 pitchers instead?

Quote from WindsorUK on March 11, 2018, 1:34 am

I've got to think with Villanueva out of options, he starts the season on the opening day roster, becoming the back up at 1B,3B, SS.

Pirella definitely makes the team.

If Asuaje starts at 2B, maybe Spangenberg stays on as super utility guy.

Nice to have options.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2018, 6:14 am

Seems as though the Padres (and most of baseball) have gone to the 13 pitchers / 12 position player mix for the 25 man ... driven by heavy use of RP. Leaves four bench position players. Guessing for the Padres:

1. Ellis

2. Villanueva (basically prime RHPH and back-up INF) ... out of options

3 - 4. Two OF (Pirela backs up 2B and starts in LF) .... still can't tell whom among the masses: Renfroe; Cordero; Jankowski; Szczur (out of options) ... two weeks is a lot of time for all to improve their status (or not), especially as the ML pitchers start stretching out and begin deploying their full arsenal the "early" ST results will become irrelevant.

*** one comment I heard was that the Padres may end up dealing one of those candidates before the season ... same comment suggested one of Asuaje / Spangenberg may be available.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2018, 6:29 am

Since Green has suggested that they will NOT carry both Spangenberg and Asuaje on the opening day roster (too similar) ... took a comparative look based on 2017:

Spangenberg (27) ... 486 PA .... 322 OBP / 401 SLG .... wRC+ 94 .... superior baserunner / speed

Asuaje (26) ............. 343 PA .... 334 OBP / 362 SLG .... wRC+ 90 .... superior defense at 2B

That is pretty close. Keeping in mind that Urias has done everything to suggest HE is the 2B in 2019 and Asuaje apparently can only play 2B ... advantage to Spangenberg if look at the future since in 2019 he could revert to the super utility role or, more likely, take over (or platoon with Villanueva) at 3B once Headley departs (maybe that is even after the trade deadline).

If that is the case, and Urias is the 2B in AAA this year ... a trade of Asuaje would be logical (if there is a market) or would his demotion to AAA put Urias at SS for 2018?

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2018, 6:47 am

I guess the ability for most of the roster to play everyday will impact who they keep as the bench, consider in 2017 the number of games played by:

Hedges (120) ... that is actually pretty good for a catcher these day and Ellis will pick-up the rest

Hosmer (162) ...

Spangenberg (129) but a lot PH/PR or Asuaje (89) but pretty every day once he got called up

Galvis (162)

Headley (147)

Myers (155)

Margot (126) ... had a lost month due to injury otherwise an every day player

Renfroe (122) ... had a lost month when demoted in August / Pirela (83) ... but pretty much daily when he assumed the starting role in mid-season

Unlike in the past ... does to appear the need for platoon players but rather versatile players on the bench that can PH/PR/defensive sub and contribute at multiple positions ... plus (and this may be a real factor) players that can stay positive and ready to play even when languishing on the bench. Probably a plus for a player such as Szczur who knows (should know) the bench is his ceiling.

Quote from dvmin98 on March 12, 2018, 5:46 am

The way its going, I could easily see Perdomo sent to AAA to start the year, with Chris Young taking the 5th spot.  He's been on point.

Richard

Mitchell

Lamet

Ross

Young